Rail anchor



April 30, 1929. H. G. wARR 1,711,293

April 30, 1929. H. G. wARR| RAIL ANCHOR Filed March 15, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented'Apr. 80, 1929. w 1,7115293- UNITED sTATEs PATE'NT' oFFlcE.

nia-Row G. WARB, or ram: amen, -IL-Lmors, AssIoNoB-o 'run r a u COMPANY, or

. CHICAGO, rLLINoIs, A conrom'rronor ILLmoIs.

RAIL Ancnon.

Application filed March 15, 1923. Serial No. 261,811.

My invention relates to rail anchors of above mentioned and other incidental ob- 55' the general type havin a member for gripjeotions to anchors of the above general type, ping one flange of a rai base and a retaining heretofore used or proposed.

' bar extending across beneath the rail base Another and more specific object of the and engaging the opposite edge thereof to invention is to provide a retaining member 'lock the gri'pping member on the rail. which will have a wedging engagemet be-. 60

' Theprincipal object of the invention is to tween the bottom surface-of the rail base provide animproved twoi'ece anchor of the and a portion of the rail gripping member so above general type in wiich the cross bar as to function in the manner above stated and gripping members'are so formed and and atthe same time permit either end of engaged with each other as to insure engagethe retaining vmember to be engaged with 65` ment of the bar with the opposite edge of the the rail gripping member When such re'versall i rail base when the anchor is applied. In of its positlon is desired. this connection the nvention contemplates The preferred embodiment of the inventhe provision of a cross bar which is so. tion is illustrated in the accompanying drawformed as to pivot on the gripping member ings, wherein at a point between the lonvitudinal edges Fig. '1 is a side view of 'a rail anchor conof the rail base and adapted to be wedged strueted in accordance 'with my invention,` between the grippingmember and said botshown in its initial positionon a rail and tom surface'of the rail base; whereby the before pressure is applied to the grippin pressure against ,the top surface of the bar member to force it transversely of the rai 75 near one'end thereof tends to swing the other Fig. 2 is a side view of the embodiment end upwardly and hold' it in engagement shown in Fig.`12 but illustratin the anchor with the Vertical edge of the rail base atv the in a position which it assumes a ter the gripopposite side of the rail. ping member has been driven transversely of Another object of the invention is to prothe rail, but before the anchor has reached '80 vide an improved rail anchor of the above its final operative'position. general 'type in which the retaining mem- F ig. 3 is anothersside view of the rail ber is distorted duringthe application of anchor showing it in its normally applied the device to exert a resilient grip vertically position on the base flange-of a rail..v of the rail base, the said bar being so formed Fig. 4 is an'end view of the anchor-'illusas to provide a firm frictional contactmwith trating the efl'ect of certain stresses on the the bottom surface of the rail base at the edge anchor during its application'to the rail. thereof. In anchors of the general type to i Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of the grip- 35 vwhich the present inventon appertains, the pirg member, and w i portion of the cross bar intervening between ig. 6 is a view the bottom surface of the rail base and' the tainin member. z w

gipping member does not provide suificient i' In t e preferred embodiment of the inven-' w aring surface to hold the hooked end of tion, the anchor is made of two separately the bar in engagement with *the edge of the formed members, a rall gripping member 10:1; `j .i rail base under all conditions of service. and a retainin member 11. The 'grippin v95 I -This condition is emphasized in-situations member ismade romametalstrip formedwit 1. in which the jaw gripping member does vnot recesses 12 and 13 and'bentto the configura-*f 1 fit tightly against the bottom surface 'of't-he tion shown inv Fig.v 5, so as to provide up: j 145,;rail base, for example, when the bottomsurstanding jaw portlons 14 and 15 adapted to g face of the rail'base, due to'inaccurac in its be driven into gripping engagement with the '100 ianufacture, is slightiy convexznearfit e :lontop and bottom surfaces of the rail base. 'i The .a 'gitudinal edge thereof, or when--the base 'jaw portions 14 and lare spadfI-om each f f 'flange of the railis thinned 'near the edge by other'longitudinallyof the rail and are held corrosion or other service'conditions.tend-fvin spaced relation-to each otherby-means of ing to wear away the under surface of. the the upwardlyl rojecting seat portion 16 'The 105' o rail base near the edge thereof.v The 'pres-lrecesses 12'an lare formed soas'tofit tight-t i ent invention contemplates a device 'which `*Fly on the raiL- Preferably he lowerjaws 17 g will so 1grip the rail base as Ato overeorne the :18 qf'thegripping'memberare so positione n perspective of'the :re-

', ping member is driven onto the rail the offset portion will not be entirely flattened out. The downward pressure in addition to flexing the offset end will be exerted on the intermediate portion 16 so as to flex the bends 20, 21 in the manner indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4. This flexing of the bcnds 20, 21, tends to spread the lower ends of the jaws 14, 15 so that the said jaw portions 14 and 15 will n01'- mally stand at oblidue angles to the bottom surface of the rail and thereby exert a shackle grip on the top and bottom surfaces of the rail base. 'The bends 20 and 21 are preferably formed with a relatively small radius so as to provide a construction that is relatively rigid transversely of the rail, but which, nevertheless, will permit some yielding transversely of the rail, as will be noted bycomparison of Figs. 2 and 3. Preferably the intermediate portion 16 of the gripping member is normally in alignment with the jaw portions when the anchor is free of the rail, but when in its fully applied position, the intermediate member is forced to a slightly angular position, shown in Fig.,3, relative to the jaw, so as to exert a spring grip transversely of the rail.

The retaining member 11 consists of a flat strip of metal adapted to fit in the space between the jaws 14 and 15 of the gripping member. The width of the metal strip is such that it is necessary to spring the jaws apart slightly to insert the retaining member between them, whereby the retaining member isheld in its engagement with the gripping member by the resillency of the aws. The ends of the member 11 are bent at right angles to the body, in opposite directions, so as to provide fianges 22 and 23. The flange 22, in the assembly illustrated in the drawings, engages the outer edge of the portion 16 of the gripping member and the upstanding flange 23 engages the edge of the rail base at the opposite side of the rail. In order to hold the flange 23 in its intended position (Fig. 3), I preferably form the bar 11 with an offset bend 24 so as 'to provide a fulcrum point 25 (Fig.

` 1), about which the member 11 will rock when the nnchor is driven to its applied position.

The offset portion 24 in addition to providing a rocking axis 25 extending longitudinally of therail, provides a wedge shapedupper' surface 26, which may be driven into tight frict-ional grip with the bottom surface of the rail. The offset bend, in addition to providing a firm grip of the anchor on rails having base flanges of perfect cross-section, yprovides a resilient wedge construction which insures a firm bearing of the retaining member against the botber.

tom surface of a rail base when the said bottom surface is worn or corroded in such manner as to form a curved or inclined surface near the edge of the base flange. The other vend of the retaining bar 11 is formed with a similar off-set bend 27 so that the bar 11 may at any time be reversed and the offset end 27 fitted between the jaws 14 and 15 of the grippre rably such that when the jaws of the gripping member are in their fully applied position, as shown in Fig. 3, it is necessary to force the intermediate portion 16 of the gripping member to a .slight angular position relative to the jaws 14 and 15 to provide the necessary movement of the bar 11 to permit the flange 23 to snap over the edge of the rail base (Fig. 3.) This distortion of the portion 16 of the gripping member may be effected in any suitable lor preferredl manner, as by striking the downturned end 22 of the bar 11, so as to force it transversely of the rail base' In operation, either end of the retaining member 11 may bc positioned between the jaws 14 and 15 of the gripping member so as to bear at the points 25, 25a (Fig. 1) on the intermediate ortion 16 of the gripping mem- Vhen in this position the offset 24 stands slightly above the lower jaws 17, 18

o f the gripping member. The anclior de-' ping member. The length of the bar 11 is rail until the gripp'ing jaws have been forced to their rail gripping position, as shown in Fig: 2. During th1s transverse moveing member, the offset portion 24 of the retaining member is depressed by engagement with the bottom surface of the rail base so as to'rock the retaining member 11 about the ful'rum point 25 and thereby urge the end 23 Jf the member 11 upwardly. VVhen the gripping member has been driven to the applied position, as shown in Figi. 2, the upstanding fiange 23 at the opposite end of the rail, preferably stands slightly below the edge of the rail. By the application of further force against the downturned fiang'e 22,

-ment of the gripping member and retainthe intermediate portion 16 of the ,gripping member is distorted sufliciently to permit the fiange 23 to snap over the edge of the rail base and thereby lock the gripping member in its applied position. The offset end 24 of the member 11, being forced between the portion 16 of the gripping member and the bottom surface of the rail is partly flattened out and exerts a firm grip against the bottom surface of the rail base regardless of the contour of the base and by reason of the pivotal action at the point 25 will hold the flange 23 in its looking position adjacent the opposite edge of the rail base. The pressure against the bottom surface of'the rail base, in addition to distorting the ofiset bend 24, will also efiect some slight distortion of the bends 20, 21 so as to move the jaw portions 14 and 15 to a slightly oblique position on the rail base, so ;as to bring the rail gripping jaws into shackle gripping engagement with the top and bottom surfaces of the rail base. This fiexing action is illustrated in Fig. 4, wherein the dotted lines illustrate the normal position of the jaws and bends 21 when the an'clior is free of the rail, the full lines illusti'ating thepositions assumed by' the Jaws when driven to rail-gripping position.

VVhile I have illustrated iny invention in connection with one specific embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that like result-s may be obtained by other constructions. It will be understood, therefore, that I do not wish to limit myself to the exact constructions shown and described eitcept in so far as specific limitations appear in the claims which follow.

I elaim: O 1. A railanchoi` comprising a rail gripping member and a retaining member engaged therewith and adapted to engagean edge of the rail base to lock the gripping member in its applied position; one end ofl adapted to be rocked by engagement with the rail base toiui'ge the other end of the retaining member upwardly into locking engagement with the Vertical edge of the rail base;

3. A rail anc-hoi' comprising a rail gripping member and a retaining member engaged therewith and adapted to engage one edge of the 'rail base to lock the gripping -member in its applied position; one end por- I tion of said retaining member being formed to provide a pivotal bearing against the grippingmember and adapted to be i'ocked by engagement with the rail base to urge the other end of the retaining member upwardly into engagement with the rail.

4. A rail anchor comprising a rail gripping member and a' retaining member engaged therewith and adapted to engage an edge of the rail base to lock the gripping member in its applied position; one end of said retaini'ng member being formed to pro- Vide a pivotal bearing at a point beneath the base of the rail and to form a portion at one side of said bearing adapted to be engaged by the rail base, whereby movement of the anehor to its applied position stresses said retaining member adjacent said bearing and urges the 'free end thereof upwardly into locking engagement With the opposite side of the rail base.

5. A rail anchor comprising a rail gripping member and a retaining member engaged therewith and adapted to engage the 'edge of the rail base to lock the gri ping -member and the opposite side of the rail to lock the gripping-member in itsl applied postion; the retaining member being formed at one end' With an offset adapted to be forced between the bottom surface of the rail base and a substantially horizontal portion of said gripping member to urge the other end of the retaining member upwardly into looking position.

7. A rail anchor comprising a rail grip-- ping member for engagement with a rail base at one side of a rail and a retaining member for engagement with the gripping member and the opposite side of the rail to lock the gripping member in its applied osition; the retaining member being forme at one end with a wedge surface ada ted to be forced into -binding engagement etween the'bottom surface of the rail and a substantially horizontal portion of said gripping member.

.8. A railanchor comprising a rail gripping member for engagement with a rail base at one side of a rail and a retaining member for engagement with thev gripping member and the opposite side of the rail to lock the gripping member in its applied position; the retaining member being formed at one end with an offset to provide a resilient wedge portion adapted to be forced into binding engagement between the bottom surface of the rail and a substantially horizontal portion of said gripping member. i

9. A rail anchor comprising a rail gripping member for engagement With the rail base at one side of a rail and a retaining niembei' for engaging the gripping member and the opposite side of the rail to lock the gripping` member in its applied position; the retaining member being formed'at its ends with portions offset in opposite directions, either of which 'offset portion is adapted to be forced into binding engagement between the bottom surface of the rail anda portion of said gripping member to effect a resilient being formed near its ends with offset por-- tions either of which is adapted to be positioned between said jaws and provide a piv- L otal bearingsurface on a part of said gripping member, whereby movement of the gripping member to its applied position Simul-A therewith and adapted to engagel an edge of the rail base to look the gripping member in its applied position; one end portion of said retaining member being formed with a bend, the bentportion of which provides clearance between the retaining member and a subjacent portion of the gripping member and is engaged by the base flange of the rail during the application of the device to a rail, whereby movement of the anchor to its applied position distorts said bend to reduce said clearance.

12. A rail anchor comprising a rail gripping member provided with spaced jaw portions for gripping one fiange of va. rail base and provided intermediate said jaw portions with an upwardly projecting seat portion, and a transverse bar positioned between said ,j aws and in en'agement with the intermediate portion and F ormed to enga e the opposite edge of the rail base to loc the grip ing member in its applied position; the sai retaining member eing formed at its ends with portions offset in opposite directions,veither of which portion provides a resilient wedge adapted to assume a position between the bottom surface of the rail and said npwardly projecting portion of the gripping member when the' gripping member is driven to its applied position.

13. A rail anchor comprising a rail gripbase flange .of la rail.

HROLD G. WARa r lping member provided with spaced jaw portions for gripping one flange of a rail base and provided intermediate said jaw portions with an upwardly projecting seat portion,

and a'transverse bar positioned between said v jaws and in engagement with the intermediate portion and formed to engage the opposite edge of the rail base to lock the gripping member in its applied position; the said retaining member being formed at its ends with portions offset in opposite directions, either of which portion provides a resilient wedge adapted to assume a position between the bottom surface of the rail and said upwardly projeeting portion of the gripping member when the gripping member is driven to its applied position, the length of said retaming member being normally such that it 1s necessary to fleX said intermediate portion of the gripping member transversely of the rail to permit the retaining member to spring into looking engagement With the rail base.

14. A rail anchor comprising a member provided With spaced jaw portions for engaging one flange of a rail and an intermediate portion extending under the base of the rail,` a transverse bar for engagement With, the opposite edge of the rail base rovided with an offset end portion supporte on saidl intermediate portion of the gripping member and adapted to be pressed 'downwardly when the anchor device is moved to its ,applied position;

15. A rail anchor' comprising a member provided with spaced jaw portions for engaging one flange of a rail and an intermedatev portion extending under the base of the rail, a transverse bar for engage ent with the opposite edge .of the rail base ormed at each end with an' ofl'set portion, either of as which is adapted to be supported on said intermediate portion of the gripping member and retained in its normal position by a spring pressure exerted by said jaw portion, the form of said offset portions being such that the end of the retaining member 'interposed between the rail base and the intermediate portion of the gripping member is depressed by application of the anchor to a rail so as to exert Vertical spring pressure against the bottom surface of the rail and to urge the opposite. end of the retaining member up- I wardly into looking engagement with the 

